Topic: Big Green 2016 Membership Drive

[IM4DHERD]

The Big Green is looking to add 400+ members over the next 2 months.  

To stay competitive, we are now compelled to provide our student athletes with a “Cost of Attendance” stipend, to the tune of about $600,000 per year in total.  We expect to lose another $600,000+ in revenue when the new  television contracts comes out soon.  That’s $1.2 Million dollars before we know the effect of looming cut-backs in State funding.  The Big Green was only able to raise $1.8 million towards the $5.5 million total cost of tuition in 2015.  Pretty scary, right?

Granted, those expenses are not BG expenses as tax-deductible donations to the Foundation go exclusively to pay for the education of our student-athletes.  However, each dollar donated frees up more for the use of your favorite team(s).

You should know that your investment is by no means wasted.  Marshall’s Athletic Program has been recognized as having the highest academic standing in Conference USA and one of the highest in the country.  You can be proud to know your help provides a future for these kids, many of whom might have never set foot on a college campus if not for their athletic abilities.  Additionally, The new President of Marshall says that a successful athletic program increases awareness and therefore enrollment so support for athletics is support for the growth of Marshall.

There is no doubt our student-athletes are worthy of our commitment to support them as they compete at the highest level Marshall University has ever seen.  Please consider joining at any level.  We don’t ask that you give until it hurts, just give until it feels good.  We always appreciate more, but you can join for as little as $5 per month put on a bank draft, at least $10 per month on a credit card please due to fees, etc.  

If you are interested in joining or renewing your current membership, or increasing your donation, please reach out to me - Doug Riley, doug_riley@bellsouth.net / 704-947-0470 with questions and/or for a Pledge Card and Benefits outline.  As part of the drive, there is a contest going on and I would like to get credit for my team!

[Buffalo Bop]

Good luck on your BG membership drive.

I'll be renewing my BG dues soon.

[whf]

We'll be promoting Big Green membership at our golf outing on 5/15 here in Cincy/Northern Kentucky as well.  Its time folks, now or never IMHO.  Should we fall further behind in funds, so many aspirations for us and our university may very well slip by the wayside.

As we're doing here, every third hole on the course, please be reminded of the extremely low investment required to become a member of the Big Green.  * *  Two tanks of gas per year
*  Less than one happy meal per month
*  Less than a six pack per month
*  Less per month than the cost for one person on Senior Day to go to a single movie
*  AND MORE satisfaction from knowing you too are now "In the game"

If you've never been a member, now is the time.  If you're a previous member but not now, now is the time.  We all know that our Athletic deparment will always be charged to get more out of each dollar than anyone else we compete with, but let's give them more dollars to get more out of.

I'm a member of the Cincy/NKY Alumni Club and a Big Green member, and I approved this message (hehe).

[2xBison]

Anyone renewing should consider the 10% increase

[ed swain]

I gave the 10 percent again this year and will do it again next year.I just wonder if this will continue on until a lot of us can no longer afford to do it.

[IM4DHERD]

They aren't charging anyone an additional 10%, just asking for it,  they have to ask and should be respected for doing so, it is not easy to do believe me!

Give what you are comfortable giving and what you feel it is worth to you.

[IM4DHERD]

The Big Green went from a Fiscal Year End June 30 to a Calendar Year about a year and a half ago.  If you have not renewed yet for 2016, it is due and would help the cause to get it done before the Ticketing/Parking renewal crunch hits in July/August.

[coalherd]

I gave the 10 percent again this year and will do it again next year.I just wonder if this will continue on until a lot of us can no longer afford to do it.

That's the problem MU is facing, ed.  A great many of the Big Green membership is, I suspect, like myself, either retired or at that point.  People who are on fixed incomes will find it harder and harder each year to "give 10 percent" more!  Incumbent that Big Green membership grows significantly each year to take up slack for those unable to bump contributions yearly, to cover inflation and increase in athletic department expenses, etc.  Big Green has a variety of payment plan options to help those who join, including 3 payments, 4 payments, or even monthly.

[Thunders]

Pisses me off that we have roughly 15k season ticket holders yet those same people can't pony up $50 for membership to BG??? Give me a break.

[svherd]

It's only $10 a month on the auto draft from your checking account. Easy to increase every year. That's how I have done it for years. Everyone on this board, season ticket holders, etc. can afford $10 a month.

[breckjimison]

I have been trying to become a donor through Herdzone.com and I keep running into one roadblock after another. I am registered with them and every time I try to log on they say my email is already being used. When I try to change my password it says I am not registered. Very frustrating when you are trying to give $$$ away? !?

[breckjimison]

I have been trying to become a donor through Herdzone.com and I keep running into one roadblock after another. I am registered with them and every time I try to log on they say my email is already being used. When I try to change my password it says I am not registered. Very frustrating when you are trying to give $$$ away? !?
[/quote
Any help]

[whf]

Can them.they'd be glad till help overcome whatever issue exists.

[IM4DHERD]

Seems I had that problem at one time.  Can't remember the fix, but it was easy as I recall.

Call them at 866-443-7310

[goherd50]

Pisses me off that we have roughly 15k season ticket holders yet those same people can't pony up $50 for membership to BG??? Give me a break.

Not many people buy one season ticket.  My guess is that most of the season tickets are bought by Big Green members.  Many businesses by large blocks of tickets.

[banker]

Not many people buy one season ticket.  My guess is that most of the season tickets are bought by Big Green members.  Many businesses by large blocks of tickets.

Exactly.  I would be very surprised if we have more than 4,000 people that buy actually write a check for season tickets.  My guess would be that the BG membership and season ticket buyer number is very similar.

[k00laid]

While I give each year, this year more than 10% increase, the long term is going to be growing the numbers who give.there is no magic bullet to doing this but I think I has to start with changing the process to fit the next generations instead of doing the status quo. I get letters all the time but when was the last time they did a legitmate push on social media? How about text XXXXXX to donate $20 bucks now to the BG.? The social media strategy is entrusted to whatever student assistant is currently available, this needs fixed.

[IM4DHERD]

KoolAid, I think you have some pull here?  I'd like to see your idea tied to a Clemson-like IPTAY which started as "I pay ten a year".  I think it is now "I pay twenty a year".  Bottom line is all they get, I think, is a sticker for their car or wherever, but if you get hundreds or thousands paying $20 a year, that can get them in the truck and giving more in the future.  Even if not, you get more money for less.

[coalherd]

KoolAid, I think you have some pull here?  I'd like to see your idea tied to a Clemson-like IPTAY which started as "I pay ten a year".  I think it is now "I pay twenty a year".  Bottom line is all they get, I think, is a sticker for their car or wherever, but if you get hundreds or thousands paying $20 a year, that can get them in the truck and giving more in the future.  Even if not, you get more money for less.

I think that the Big Green has "bumped" the minimum contribution for membership upward in last year or two.  Believe it is now about $60 or thereabouts which equals a "whopping" 5 bucks per month.  Considering that amount gets you a year's subscription to the Herd Insider, with a news stand price of about $2.50 a copy, the minimum membership level is a pretty good bargain!!

[breckjimison]

I think that the Big Green has "bumped" the minimum contribution for membership upward in last year or two.  Believe it is now about $60 or thereabouts which equals a "whopping" 5 bucks per month.  Considering that amount gets you a year's subscription to the Herd Insider, with a news stand price of about $2.50 a copy, the minimum membership level is a pretty good bargain!!

I just canceled my All-Access membership and I'm putting it towards my BG donation!

[breckjimison]

I never watched it past C-USA BB tourney. No point in wasting money.

[Scottyo614]

I gotta thank IM4DHERD for reaching out to me on Big Green Membership. I actually have been talking to a peer who works for the Big Green about memberships recently. I may catch some hell for this from some because of previous reseating bitching and who I donate to.

But I'd make a pitch for the BG after looking at the $600 membership for MU compared to the $1000 membership at UT, MU gives much more value in terms of extras. If you're local or come to Huntington the discount card has value as well. Also just knowing the UT side it's $84 roughly a month. There is no way Marshall can't sell people on the $600 package if they would just compare what you get with MU compared to schools in a 4-5 hour radius.

The biggest obstacle for MU is getting alumni active. I had my wedding at the Brad Smith foundation hall this weekend and several younger alumni didn't even know what it was and I know they've never been really reached out to to make a donation. When I asked the Big Green employee about membership recruiting that's when our conversation ended. Simply put to end this post. Marshalls "we need money donate, here's our plans" is not effective. They need to go out and actually sale the program from all aspects.

[iherdya]

KoolAid, I think you have some pull here?  I'd like to see your idea tied to a Clemson-like IPTAY which started as "I pay ten a year".  I think it is now "I pay twenty a year".  Bottom line is all they get, I think, is a sticker for their car or wherever, but if you get hundreds or thousands paying $20 a year, that can get them in the truck and giving more in the future.  Even if not, you get more money for less.

fwiw, clemson's iptay was $10 when it was started in the early 30s. the minimum amount you have to give to be eligible to buy football season tickets (any tickets) is $160 now.

that said, we need something that better engages students, so when they leave marshall/huntington (which sadly a lot of them will have to do to get a job) they'll feel connected to the athletic program and be more likely to give back.

[IM4DHERD]

We should approach 40k for the Louisville game.  Just thinking, if everyone in that stadium gave the minimum $60, we'd be at $2.4M, 30+% more than the $1.8M the Big Green works so hard for all year to get now, and considers that good for the number of donors we have.

[whf]

I still contend there are two major types of "donators"

1, They give from their heart, investing in the "cause" of the athletic department and its impact on students and the university

2. They give from a WIFM standpoint, "what's in it for me"

I have no preference on / for either type of giver, we desperately need both. The second takes a much harder, deeper, and better effort from those seeking funds.  And they NEED to develop their approach based on being successful in / with that group of donors.  The first group will merely say "you don't need to go into all that, I'm good" and make their pledge.

And as others have said, the Big Green needs to continue to develop its effectiveness with the second group.  Could they stand some professional "selling" education / training; yes, I think they could.  Should they be commended for their current effort; Yes I think they should.  It's not lack of effort, maybe more lack of understanding and skills in "getting to yes".